Firearms SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, handling, transporting, operating, securing and storing firearms and ammunition. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing access, discharge, projectile, malfunction, exposure and incident hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and authorise users while considering fatigue, stress and firearm selection
• Inspect the site and establish an exclusion area for visibility, backstop and unexpected-person hazards
• Collect firearms and ammunition while managing discharge, selection, loss, handling and lead hazards
• Complete firearm pre-start checks for mechanical condition, obstructions, safety mechanisms and assembly
• Transport firearms to the work area while managing vehicle, access, theft, discharge and handling risks
• Load and prepare to operate while managing ammunition, muzzle, awareness and unauthorised-handling hazards
• Undertake authorised firearm activity while managing projectiles, ricochet, discharge, noise and eye hazards
• Manage misfires and malfunctions while addressing delayed discharge, burns, mechanical failure and worker response
• Conduct range firing activities while managing cross-lane, projectile, noise, lead and access hazards
• Secure firearms during breaks and respond to emergencies or incidents
• Unload, make safe, clean, store and sign off while managing discharge, exposure, fire, defects and records

Who is this for?

For authorised workers, supervisors, contractors and businesses carrying out firearm activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage risks, provide information, training, instruction, supervision, emergency arrangements and incident notification.
• Applicable state or territory firearms legislation, regulations, licence conditions, storage requirements and police/firearms-registry directions for possession, carriage, transport, storage and use.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks and Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction).
• AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices; AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection; AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear.
• Use manufacturer instructions and the organisation's approved firearms management plan. The supplied cash-and-valuable-goods guidance supports licenced carriage, documented procedures, equipment checks, secure holsters, communications, first aid, fatigue controls and post-incident support.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections